Personal Statement

Carrie Heller is the Founder and Executive Director of Circus Arts Institute, is a professional trapeze artist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Carrie has spent over 35 years in the circus ring mastering an array of skills in the circus arts. She began her circus training at the age of eight with the Florida State University Flying High Circus, and moved on to become a circus teacher, performer, and choreographer.

Carrie received her Masters in Social Work from Tulane University and moved to Atlanta after graduating. She has been a therapist for over 20 years. In 1988 Carrie founded Atlanta’s first circus school at the same time she served as Director of Clinical Services at The Bridge Runaway Shelter in Atlanta. Shortly after that she went into private practice and founded Circus Camp.

Carrie has traveled throughout the world lecturing on topics relating to both circus arts and Circus Arts Therapy ®. She has served as a trainer for Cirque Du Monde, a Cirque Du Soleil Outreach Program that uses circus arts to help youth in difficulty around the world. She is the Aerial Supervisor and Consulting Therapist to the internationally-renowned Camp Winnarainbow in California. Carrie is also a founding member of the American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO).

Circus Arts Therapy®, created by Carrie Heller, is a unique play therapy tool focusing on circus activities. Our program provides a safe, cooperative environment where participants learn fun and unique circus skills and experience "Therapy in Action.” Our therapy programs are taught by a team of instructors, which includes Carrie Heller, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) along with adult circus professionals.

Circus Arts Therapy helps clients age three and older by stimulating their imagination and creativity in a playful, social setting.